3 Ways to Prevent Culture-Negative Endocarditis

1. Maintain Good Dental Health

In recent studies, tooth decay and dental abscesses have been linked to the incidence of heart disease. That's because the bacteria caused by these infections can travel through the esophagus and into the chest cavity, where the lining of the heart can become affected and cause culture-negative endocarditis. If you have had problems with perivalvular abscesses (infections of the heart valves) or blood clots, it's even more important than usual to brush and floss regularly and to check with your doctor about taking antibiotics before undergoing any dental procedures such as a tooth extraction or a root canal.

2. Stop Intravenous Drug use

If you're an intravenous drug user and you are at high risk for culture-negative endocarditis, you should check yourself into a rehab facility at once. Intravenous drug use is a very common cause of endocarditis, and continued use may lead to congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest and even death. If you are unable to kick your drug habit without help, you should take extra measures to use clean needles and to not share syringes with others. If you do experience an infection at a needle site, then get medical attention immediately.

3. Schedule Regular Visits With Your Cardiologist

Many patients with congenital heart defects of conditions may contract culture-negative endocarditis if they do not receive thorough cardiac exams on a regular basis. If you have had damage to your heart valves due to a childhood case of rheumatic fever, of if you have received a heart valve prosthesis or have mitral valve prolapse, then you are at high risk for this heart condition. Proper cardiac exams include an electro-cardiogram (ECG), a chest x-ray, a CBC blood count, various blood cultures (which can identify culture-negative endocarditis from other forms of cendocarditis) and echocardiograms.